China appoints respected economist to target graft

File photo, Mr Wang Qishan, China's vice premier at the UK-China Economic and financial dialogue at the Institute of Directors in London, UK, on Sept. 8, 2011. Mr Wang, China's top finance official, will head the party's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, the state-run Xinhua news agency said, as the party's five-yearly congress came to a close in Beijing. -- PHOTO: BLOOMBERG

BEIJING (AFP) - China appointed a respected economist to head its anti-graft drive as it sought to stress its resolve in fighting the rampant corruption identified as one of the biggest challenges for the Communist Party.

Mr Wang Qishan, China's top finance official, will head the party's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, the state-run Xinhua news agency said, as the party's five-yearly congress came to a close in Beijing.

Mr Wang is best known for representing China in key economic talks with the United States and European Union.

The congress also approved an amendment to the party constitution to include a call for "attaching greater importance to conducting oversight of cadres", Xinhua said.